Ailuorio, Lagos Following a recent report that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, is allegedly terrorizing the telecom industry with its recent ultimatum to owners of telecoms masts at several locations across Nigeria to dismantle them or face sanctions, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, NATCOMS has said that the four-week mast removal ultimatum given telecom companies may worsen quality of service, Qos provision in the country, already bedeviled by a number of challenges. The national president of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo in a statement made available to Nigerian Pilot at the weekend said; “Currently the telecoms industry is suffering and witnessing several mast closures, vandalisation by insurgents, declaration of state of emergency in some states and threats of closures by some Federal and state government agencies leading to very serious threats to good quality service” He said NAMA had recently directed that mast owners remove them in a bid to enhance air safety in the country. General Manager, Public Affairs of NAMA, Supo Atobatele, reportedly said the directive became necessary following the inherent danger posed by the structures to air flight in the country, adding “Consequently, the agency has engaged the services of Seas Electrical and Computer Services Ltd to effect the dismantling of affected masts at the expiration of the ultimatum.” NAMA mandated Seas Electrical and Computer Services Ltd not to only identify and report, but also to reduce the height or dismantle the masts as applicable, citing NAMA Act Section 7(1) c and d of its Establishment Act No.48 of 1999. But NATCOMS in a note of caution to the agency added; “Hitherto, telecoms operators in Nigeria, in erecting masts around our airports, are given approvals by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Chief Ogunbanjo further stated, “If the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) now suddenly wakes up to discharge their responsibility of enhancing air safety in Nigeria, it should do so with decorum, due diligence, due process and wide consultation.” According to Ogunbanjo, NAMA, as a federal government agency should consult with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and telecoms operators to harmonize their various interests and positions rather than the current ‘terror’ approach being undertaken.” He said currently the telecoms industry is suffering and witnessing several mast closures, vandalisation by insurgents, declaration of state of emergency in some states and threats of closures by some Federal and State Government Agencies leading to very serious threats to good quality service. He therefore advised Federal and state government agencies like NESREA, NAMA, UFRU and ENTRACCO among others to first embrace decorum, due-diligence, due-process and consultations among themselves instead of slaming sanctions, penalties and attacks on network operators.
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